Type Hell
March 17, 2008
I was checking my blog stats the other day, and I noticed that I get a lot of hits on the category Avert Your Eyes! Knowing that you’re interested, I’ve been on the lookout for bad designs to post. Well, look no further.
Subject matter aside, the typography on this poster is horrific. Bodoni (Friday March 21st) is a very traditional serif face and it does not match with that modern sans-serif (Kevin Federline’s set in Helvetica Neue Extended Light?) And that apostrophe in Federline’s? That’s a foot mark, damn it. Apostrophes are curly or slanted, a foot mark is straight up and down. For shame!
Moving down the page, ack, ack, ack. The odd blackletter-ish “BIG 30″ is trying to be street and failing (perhaps an ironic wink from the designer? Somehow I doubt it.) It also evokes a horror movie vibe. At least I’m horrified. It’s completely mismatched with the type above and below. And where did that grunge script (”Birthday Bash”) come from? Does that say “fun party” or “desperate to be hip”?
When you use a company logo, you have to use their fonts, so I can’t argue with the introduction of four more typefaces in Pure, Caesar’s Palace, and Company. Sadly, I can hardly see those logos since my eyes are burning from the rest of the poser (typo, but I’m keeping it). Make it stop!
I am currently reading New Vintage Type: Classic Fonts for the Digital Age and have laughed at many of the designs in there. They could easily fit in your Avert Your Eyes category. Some things I feel should have died with the past like using 8 completely different fonts on a single poster. This poster is a good example of that — well, maybe there aren’t 8 fonts in this one, but there might as well be. Thanks for sharing.
Comment by Karly Barrett — March 18, 2008 @ 7:23 pm
*I* am more street than that stupid font.
Comment by elizasmom — March 18, 2008 @ 8:29 pm
It really is atrocious. I wonder who designed it?
Comment by Stef — March 19, 2008 @ 12:15 am
Karly thanks for the comment. I do think it’s possible to combine eight different fonts into one good design, but it’s really, really difficult. Font libraries should come with a “Don’t Try This at Home” disclaimer.
Elizasmom - I don’t know, you’re pretty hard core. I’m not messing with you after I saw this: http://elizasmom.com/?p=1104
Stef - I think the designer is purposefully remaining anonymous. Would you claim this design? BTW, I’ve been reading your blog and really enjoying it. You’re doing some really nice work!
Comment by Leslie Tane Design — March 19, 2008 @ 2:02 pm
Love it! Can’t Kevin afford a designer? The photo looks low res, too.
Comment by Shanna — March 24, 2008 @ 10:55 pm
Hmmm, I wonder if KF designed it himself? It has that “I have Photoshop. I am a DESIGNER” look to it…
Comment by Leslie Tane Design — March 25, 2008 @ 7:59 am
Thank you!
Stef’s last blog post..Learning 3D perspective with Photoshop
Comment by Stef — March 26, 2008 @ 7:24 pm